Unusual Funerals and Creative Cremations

More From Death: It's a Living

Unusual Funerals and Creative Cremations

The sluggish economy has affected every industry in America, even the funeral industry. According to an Associated Press report, cash-strapped families are choosing such low-cost alternatives to standard funerals as cremation, and as a result, funeral industry revenue has declined steadily since 2007.

Another factor that may be having an impact on the bottom lines of traditional funeral homes is the growing number of businesses providing unique send-offs to the departed. These businesses specialize in out-of-the-ordinary services that replace lilies and pipe organ music with surprising keepsakes and spectacular marvels.

Some of these businesses provide services that use state-of-the-art technology, while others use techniques that pre-date the Roman Empire. But what they all have in common is that they provide memorable send-offs to the person for whom the average funeral just won't cut it.

Read ahead to see 10 businesses that provide unusual funerals, creative cremations and much more.